Danton's Death, National Theatre | reviews, news & interviews

Danton's Death, National Theatre

Danton's Death, National Theatre

Revolution in under two hours in a new version of Büchner's longest play

One needs to feel that this man is going to explode, not just expostulate: Toby Stephens as DantonJohan Persson

The longest and most densely historical play by Georg Büchner (1813-37) is a potential monster. In German, Dantons Tod can run to four hours or more. There's little action and much speechifying. In plays by his equally wordy, history-obsessed predecessor, Friedrich von Schiller, there are at least fights, battles, a lot of love - and some sex.